The books were randomly selected from 1,400 titles listed in the Children's Catalog, a directory that helps educators identify good reads for children, researchers noted in a study published in the journal Sex Roles.

According to Amy De Witt, a sociologist at university who was involved in the project, many volumes published between 1900 and 2000 heartily embraced old school values.

Mamas in the books were more likely than dads to demonstrate almost every single nurturing behavior, including praising, encouraging, listening to, and expressing affection for children.

Dads, on the other hand, were "much more likely to participate in both physical and non-physical play" and more apt to be breadwinners.

Twenty-six percent of dads in the representative literature worked outside the home, compared to five percent of mothers.

One noteworthy finding from the study: Dated role models dominated most picture books despite changes in parenting roles that took place in some families in the last half of the 20th century.

In fact, researchers said, in the 70s, dads were more likely to be drawn as nurturing and caring, but that "leveled off in later decades."

The lesson: Reading to kids beats not reading at all (or letting your little ones watch too much television). But you may want to preview books before you share them.

If kids, particularly girls, "continue to be exposed to portrayals that suggest that opportunities for women are limited to the home, and that men provide, their aspirations and independence will be muted," De Witt noted.

Perhaps it's time for some new illustrated storybooks. Or you could try writing your own family story.

Do you care if kids' books feature out-of-date role models? Have you found stories that feature more modern women?

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Nancy Josephson Liff

Nancy Josephson Liff writes about health, education, parenting, child development, and women’s and family issues. She has three children. Her youngest is in college. She recently took up archery—now that everyone is safely out of the house.

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